Passenger seat in SS classes

[dtlemoine]

Hi guys - have a question about a few of the rules as they pertain to SS...

My understanding is that in SS, driver's seat is free, given it is considered a "safety" feature. (IX. SHOWROOM STOCK, CAR INTERIOR, Rule 2)

My understanding is also that restraints are free for all classes, per VI. CAR REQUIREMENTS, Part F, Rule 2, since this is also considered a "safety" feature (for SS, assumes restraint is DOT, SFI, or FIA).

Furthermore, I understand that due to situations where one may have an instructor riding along, VI. CAR REQUIREMENTS, Part F, Rule 3 continues on to say that the passenger's restraint must have equal or greater capability than the drivers.

So (you may already see where I'm going with this...) if I put in a seat that allows a 5 pt harness for the driver, but wish to remain in SS, am I allowed to also put in a passenger seat that allows the same 5 (or more) point harness? I ask this, because the stocks seats in the 325i won't allow anything more than the stock 3 pt belt.

Comments and suggestions welcome!

Cheers,
Dave

Black E36 M3/4, #14

[jlwhorf]

If your car dose not have a roll bar, the safest set up is use the stock 3 point harness and add a 3" lap belt. This way, if you are involved in a roll over, your body won't be fixed in an upright position when the roof crushes in. Granted, roll overs are quite rare. to answer you other question, putting seats that allow 5 point harness on both sides is legal, and required if the driver has a 5 point harness. Hope this helps.

[blindsidefive0]

Given that in Showroom Stock "preparations and modifications allowed ONLY as follows," and the only mention of any seats is "Drivers' seat may be replaced with an aftermarket seat," should there be a request to update the showroom stock rules to include passenger seat (for the purposes of providing equal restraint for passengers)?

I don't mean to be nit picky about this, and I don't see why someone would protest, but I would hate to show up in my painfully stock SSB car just to get crushed by fully prepped ST3 machines because according to the letter of the law after-market passenger seats are not mentioned (thus not allowed) for SS.

[brucesallen]

Given that in Showroom Stock "preparations and modifications allowed ONLY as follows," and the only mention of any seats is "Drivers' seat may be replaced with an aftermarket seat," should there be a request to update the showroom stock rules to include passenger seat (for the purposes of providing equal restraint for passengers)?

I don't mean to be nit picky about this, and I don't see why someone would protest, but I would hate to show up in my painfully stock SSB car just to get crushed by fully prepped ST3 machines because according to the letter of the law after-market passenger seats are not mentioned (thus not allowed) for SS.

good point. submit a rule change.

[962porsche]

my rulling on this as a steward would be if you were a student and as long as you are a student you would have to run the same safety for driver and passenger . but when your signed off for a license you would then have to reinstall the passenger side back to stock form . so the short of it if i tached your car as a class winner ( when your a student ) i would pass you in tech with a racing seat for your instructor .

[blindsidefive0]

good point. submit a rule change.

Submitted.

my rulling on this as a steward would be if you were a student and as long as you are a student you would have to run the same safety for driver and passenger . but when your signed off for a license you would then have to reinstall the passenger side back to stock form . so the short of it if i tached your car as a class winner ( when your a student ) i would pass you in tech with a racing seat for your instructor .

I appreciate the consideration. I'll stick stock seats - both sides - for now (heated seats might be nice for a November event )

[962porsche]

it should not be all that cold in southern NJ .

[brucesallen]

it should not be all that cold in southern NJ .

I am going to Avalon beach the day after!

[Om84]

it should not be all that cold in southern NJ .

I am going to Avalon beach the day after!

Did you end up swimming today?

[chaos4NH]

Ya, it was only down to 28 deg on Sat morning. Nice beach weather!

[DanDarcy]

Of course that was 28 centigrade

[blindsidefive0]

For the record - I DID use my heated seats...and it was awesome. I forget which run group, but I was soaked up to my knees so on one of the back straights I clicked the seats up to high.

[breakaway500]

[blindsidefive0]

Funny you should imply electrical issues with my seats...

Dave and I struggled with our power mirrors because more than once a bunch of water poured onto the power mirror control - the mirrors were going nuts, and kept trying to turn themselves to the right. We had to disconnect the fuse and mash the mirrors around the old fashioned way.

[breakaway500]

I was thinking "wet knees" as in knee deep water...and electrical heating grids...